End the Corporate Takeover of the Michigan Legislature

Powerful corporations use political contributions to drown out the voices of Michigan citizens. Over 90% of our politicians take the money–Democrats and Republicans alike. In addition, our broken campaign system also allows these influential companies to run campaign ads without telling us who is behind the message.

You can help end this by signing the ballot petition from Michiganders for Money Out of Politics (MMOP) a nonpartisan, grassroots campaign working to get big money out of our elections.

People Power is in Michigan’s Constitution

In Michigan, citizens can initiate changes in legislation or our state constitution through a formal Ballot Petition process. By gathering enough signatures on a petition, citizens can put an issue on the ballot to be voted on in a general election. Ballot proposals work! The citizens of Michigan used this process to end gerrymandering in our state in 2018 and again in 2022 to guarantee safe and accessible elections.

What Will the MMOP Legislation Do?

• BAN contributions from regulated utilities such as oil, gas and electric companies to state officeholders and political party committees. Oil and gas companies contributed $249 million in Michigan’s 2024 election.
• BAN contributions from companies that hold large contracts (over $250,000) with state and local governments. The list includes Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan, United Health, CoreCivic Correctional Institutions and others.
• Expose dark money contributors on “issue ads” so you will know who is pushing the perspective on issues that matter to you.

YOUR ARMCHAIR ACTION:

We need you! The MMOP petition requires over 350,000 signatures by April 16 to get the money out of politics bill on the ballot for the November 2026 election. (Click here to read the exact wording of the petition.)

1. Click here to request a petition to be sent directly to you in the US mail. The mailing will include instructions as well as return postage to mail it back. This link is safe and we guarantee that your private information will not be shared with outside parties.
2. Once you receive the petition, it is crucial to read the directions very carefully. Then read them again. NOTE: “Wet signatures” are required. A wet signature is a physical, handwritten signature made with a pen, ink, or stamp on a tangible paper document. Ballot petitions are formal documents and cannot be signed online. The information you provide on a petition is protected by law and cannot be sold to outside parties.

Once you have gathered as many signatures as you can and checked all the information on your petition, simply pop it in the mail so it will be officially counted.

Each petition has ten lines for signature information. In addition to signing the petition yourself, PLEASE ask friends and family to sign as well. This is not a partisan issue; it is a common-sense way to safeguard our democracy.

Click here to learn more about getting money out of politics in Michigan and have a petition mailed to your home (you can request more than one petition).

Article I Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution holds that the sole power to declare war resides with Congress. As Commander in Chief, the President has broad authority to engage our military in action. However, the War Powers Resolution of 1973 requires that the President notify Congress within 48 hours of action and limits the duration of engagement to 60 days without approval. Both the House and Senate have introduced resolutions that invoke the War Powers Resolution.

Congress must maintain its authority as a strong check on an executive branch whose overreach is beyond compare in recent US history. To be clear, the Iranian government is a ruthless entrenched regime whose crimes against humanity are well documented. But Trump and his cronies are no saviors. The Iranian regime has been able to withstand countless assaults over the decades. “Operation Epic Fury” is a reckless action that has no post-strike plan. There is a serious risk of wider regional conflict and another endless war.

Congressional Resolutions

In June, Senator Tim Kaine (D), a member of the Armed Services Committee introduced Senate Joint Resolution 59 to end unauthorized hostilities against Iran. Although the measure failed to move out of committee at that time, debate is currently underway and the Senate is expected to take up the resolution again this week. In the House, Representative Tom Massie (R) sponsored House Resolution 38 with the same goal. Jack Bergman of course, did not support the measure. Your voice matters!

Urgent Armchair Action:

We are asking you to use the 5 Calls App to call Senator Peters, Senator Slotkin, and Representative Bergman. Here is the link:

You can download it to your phone or access the 5 Calls website on your desktop computer by clicking here: https://5calls.org/. 5 Calls provides all the information you need to contact your representatives – including a script! It also keeps a record of the number of calls made via 5 Calls to each representative. This is critical information for holding our representatives accountable. Let’s jam the circuits! If you are unable to get a response, keep trying or use the local office numbers.

If you are uncomfortable with or unable to use the app, call using the numbers below:

Gary Peters: 202-224-6221 (Washington DC) Peters’ Michigan Offices (click here)

Elissa Slotkin 202-224-4822 (Washington DC) Slotkin’s Michigan Offices (click here)

Jack Bergman 202-225-4735 (Washington DC) Michigan: 906-273-1970 or 231-294-1596

Here’s your script for the calls to Peters and Slotkin:

“Hi, my name is ___________ and I’m a constituent from (YOUR TOWN). My address is ___________________. I’m calling to urge [Senator Peters \ Senator Slotkin \ Representative Bergman] to support [Senate Joint Resolution 59 \ House Congressional Resolution 38] , the bipartisan war powers resolution, and stop the Trump administration from continued military strikes on Iran without congressional authorization. Congress must maintain its war powers authority and prevent a military escalation in Iran. Thank you for your time and consideration.”

Following the example of other Michigan communities such as Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, we drafted a letter calling for a county policy proactively addressing how federal law enforcement agencies operate in Marquette County.

The letter was presented at the February 3 meeting of the Marquette County Board of Commissioners. To our surprise, we were not the only community members requesting a policy concerning DHS and ICE. During the public comment period, 6 people spoke to the same issue with several others present in support. During closing comments, Commissioners Alholm, LaLonde and Numinen spoke in support of our request. Commissioner Numinen was especially forceful, saying “we are living in a national nightmare.” The Commission concluded by directing Marquette County staff to research the issue and put it on the agenda for the next meeting (Tuesday, Feb. 17).

We were all excited about the response of the Commission. However, we also understand that the battle is not yet won. Our first request for citizen action was for people to mail a postcard to the Commission in support of our letter and its proposal to develop a policy.

It is clear that the Commission, and Commissioner Numinen in particular, have received backlash from pro-MAGA individuals. Those Commissioners need our support! In the next Commission meeting, we must endorse a strong, proactive policy to protect our community. If you want to make the greatest impact, please attend and speak during the public comment periods. In terms of attendance, size really DOES matter.

Please attend the upcoming Marquette County Commission board meetings in the Skewis Annex of the Marquette County Courthouse on Baraga Street to show support for this resolution until one is passed.

See upcoming meeting dates, Zoom links, and agendas here

If you are unable to attend the Commission meeting in person, you can still express your support from home in the following ways:

• Speak to the commission from home. There is an option to comment at the board meeting via Zoom.
• Write a postcard or brief letter to the Commission in support of developing a policy. Be sure to include your name and address. Mail it to: Marquette County Board of Commissioners, Henry A. Skewis Courthouse Annex, 234 W. Baraga Ave., Marquette, MI
• Email the commission. Public comments can be submitted to the County Clerk at clerk@marquettemi.gov Be sure to include your name and address.

ACTION: Urge three people who have never come to a protest to come to No Kings 3!

Emphasize that they can help turn back the regime simply by showing up! There will be music and dancing, costumes and signs, and many like-minded people! It will be fun!

Even with mobility issues, anyone can participate! People can drive by, and beep and wave flags and signs from their cars. They can even decorate their cars with pro-democracy themes!

WHY: Hands Off (April 2025) saw over 3 million protesters, the first No Kings (June 2025) had over 5 million, and No Kings 2 (October 2025) had over 7 million. Mass movements have a better chance of success when they mobilize 3.5% of a population. In the U.S. that translates to 11.5 to 12 million people. WE CAN DO THIS!

The president thinks his rule is absolute, but in America we don’t have kings. We will not back down from his chaos, corruption, and cruelty. This country belongs to We the People — the people who care, who show up, who stand for dignity, peace, a life we can afford, and real opportunity.

Still on the fence about going to a protest? Read this terrific essay by historian Timothy Snyder on why it’s important to show up for NO KINGS 3 on March 28th.

RESULTS: Several questions were received through multiple LSRI channels, and moderators grouped them into 15 questions to

On March 21, Lake Superior Region Indivisible hosted the Marquette candidate forum for Michigan’s First Congressional District (the U.S. House seat currently held by Jack Bergman). The upcoming primaries — the vetting stage of our elections — are critical to the grassroot efforts underway to change the direction of this country. All primary candidates have been invited to the forum. The candidate forum is not a debate. It’s actually a job interview where each of the candidates can address issues brought up by us — their potential employers. This is an opportunity to meet the candidates, raise concerns, listen and compare.

This is where YOU come in:

We asked for YOUR input in the form of questions to the candidates. Please take a moment to reflect on the issues that affect you. We hope you are able to attend the forum. If not, your voice can still be a part of this conversation by responding to the survey below. We expect this event to be widely covered by our local media. Your input will help to shape our understanding of the individuals who are asking to represent us.